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Ethiopian Minister Says Rebels Agree to Disarm

   Communications  Minister  Bereket  Simon  says  a  faction of the ONLF
   rebels has decided to operate with the constitutional framework

   James Butty | Washington, D.C. 25 June 2010
   Ethiopian  PM  and  Intergovernmental  Authority on Development (IGAD)
   chairman Meles Zenawi, center (File Photo

Photo: AFP

   Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

   An  Ethiopian  government  minister  said  a rebel group that has been
   fighting  for  a  separate  state  in  the countryâs Ogaden region has
   agreed to lay down its arms.

   Communications   Minister  Bereket  Simon  says  the  Ogaden  National
   Liberation  Front (ONLF) has decided to work within the constitutional
   framework.

   âA  certain  faction  from  the ONLF has decided to operate within the
   constitutional   framework.   They  want  to  continue  as  a  legally
   functioning  party  and contend for power. That will be guaranteed and
   respected,â he said.

   But a spokesman for the ONLF was quoted in published reports as saying
   the claim of a peace deal was all Ethiopian government propaganda.

   Simon  said  the  ONLF  has  started  to  realize the futile nature of
   continuing with their armed struggle.

   He  said the armed groups have also decided to get on the bandwagon of
   the government's development agenda that he said has been taking place
   in the Ogaden region.

   âWhat  is  transpiring  currently is that most of the members of these
   groups  have  started  to  see  the  futile  nature of continuing in a
   violent  way.  They have seen massive development work is taking place
   in their region,â he said.

   Simon  said  some  of  the development work taking place in the Ogaden
   includes new universities, roads, irrigation, and airports.

   He  said Ethiopians want to put the past behind them, and as such, the
   members  of  any  armed  groups  that  lay down their arms will not be
   prosecuted.

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